During his tenure at NIPRD, he initiated and directed the research and development of Niprisan- a standardised phytomedicine for the prophylactic management of sickle cell disorder. It was a groundbreaking research that earned Wambebe The World Academy of Science Award in Medical Sciences (TWAS). Niprisan is generally regarded as clinically safe and effective. Wambebe holds five United States of America (USA) patents.
Wambebe was also honoured by the Federal Government (FG) as Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR).
Aged 76, Wambebe was born on August 8, 1946 in Emi Tsado, Kogi State. He passed away on November 9, 2022 in QUINCY, Massachusetts, United States.
The Son, Majiyebo Wambebe, in a tribute, said: “A hard nut to crack, break the ice, easier said than done, food for thought, and make ends meet, are a few habitual phrases we use in our dealings. One such phrase, which is often overused, is one in a million. That is Dad in any and every sense! There was none other and there will be no other like this mighty servant; not only did he reach the apex in all his affairs, he smashed ceilings through his singular zest for God’s purpose in him. Another common expression is the two shall become one; if Dad was one in a million, it then stands to reason that he wouldn’t have laid claim to all his feats without the indomitable spirit of his Victoria. Not to wear out even more phrases but they were a two-for-one, a perfect model for what a God-centered union of souls looks like.
“To the utmost glory of God, this is as much a tribute to her as it is to him.
“Dad was the consummate standard for what a Christian should embody; till his last breath, he was Christ-like in duty and service, and to say he’s left a massive void would be putting it painfully mildly. We are all but passengers in this realm, en route to our Heavenly destination. Until our time comes, and it will, Dad shall await us all, donning his well-deserved crown of humility and obedience to The Most High. As Christ first loved us, so did he. We miss and love you Dad; your legacies will remain unblemished and unstoppable in the mighty name of Jesus – AMEN.”
Wambebe was the Chair of Product Research and Development for Africa and President of International Biomedical Research for Africa and also a Professor Extra Ordinary, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa as well as Honorary Professor of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda.
Wambebe had insisted that antidote for COVID-19 should come from Africa.
Wambebe obtained his PhD in Neuropharmacology from Ahmadu Bello University in 1979. He served briefly at Georgetown University Medical Center as Visiting Professor of Pharmacology and worked with the World Health Organisation (WHO). He was consultant in Traditional Medicine to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), African Union, Economic Community for Africa and African Development Bank (ADB). Professor Wambebe was the Pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Bingham University. His initial research focus was on the physiological roles of dopamine in the brain. He also published research articles on the neuropharmacological effects of plant extracts.
Upon his appointment as Pioneer Director-General/CEO of NIPRD, Abuja, he switched his research interest to development of phytomedicines based on African Indigenous Medical Knowledge (AIMK).
In recognition of his academic achievements, Professor Wambebe was elected Fellow of TWAS, African Academy of Sciences (AAS), Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), etc. Professor Wambebe has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles in international journals and contributed chapters to books. His current research interests involve development of phytomedicines from AIMK using African Food Plants. Professor Wambebe, until his death, served as Professor Extra-Ordinary (Pharmacology) at Tswane University of Technology, Pretoria and Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Wambebe had published several books, including African Indigenous Medical Knowledge and Human Health.
He wrote: “Despite the relevance of and empirical evidence for African Traditional Medicine, based on African Indigenous Medical Knowledge (AIMK), research and development of new phytomedicines from this continent has been slow. African Indigenous Medical Knowledge and Human Health aims to provide a catalyst for health innovations based on the rich African biodiversity and AIMK. The book documents some of the success stories from the continent related to AIMK and serves as a one-step reference for all professionals interested in the research and development of medical interventions – including pharmacognosists, ethnobiologists, botanists, phytochemists, pharmacologists and medical scientists.”
Wambebe, in his last exclusive interview with The Guardian, published May 2, 2022, titled “Africa should look inward in search of COVID-19 solution”, spoke on how he pioneered the research and development of the first Nigerian HIV-1 candidate vaccine (1999–2002) in collaboration with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta and the Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore. He also spoke on how he developed the Draft Nigerian National HIV Vaccine Plan with support from the Joint United Nations programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) based in Geneva, Switzerland.
On how best to contain covid-19 in Nigeria, Wambebe had said: “I am happy the way some states have aggressively responded to the coronavirus pandemic. The keys necessary to effectively battle this invisible army are testing, tracing, isolation and treatment. For example, we must target establishing testing centre at each local government area. I am aware that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) may not have the human capacity and or laboratory facilities, testing kits and reagents to supply to establish a testing centre in each local government area. That should be the goal of each state.
I am happy to know that the scientists at Pasteur Institut, Dakar, Senegal in partnership with Mologic, a British Biotechnology company have developed coronavirus rapid diagnostic kits (results in 10 minutes and the test can be done at home). The project was sponsored by the British Government and Bill & Melinda Gate Foundation. The candidate vaccine is currently undergoing validation at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene as well as St George’s University, London. The plan is to market the vaccine at one dollar per test. Once the validation process is completed and the candidate vaccine passes, then the massive scale up of testing can become a reality.
“The second recommendation is appropriate information at all levels in various local languages to dispel rumours and fake news and emphasise the plan and actions of government.
“My third recommendation is strengthening of the health systems in a comprehensive manner. We just thank God that so far we have not seen massive numbers of confirmed cases in Nigeria as in Europe or United States of America (USA). I am not sure we have up to 1000 functional Intensive Care Units (ICUs) with ventilators in Nigeria. This situation must change. We must train more specialists.
Not just because of coronavirus but for even routine management of serious conditions. I read that we have only about 380 intensive care nurses in Nigeria.
“My fourth recommendation is that the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) should engage the innovators to ascertain scientific credibility and the novelty of the technology. Thereafter pass their findings to government so that any technology (example ventilators) can be supported by government while the NAS serves as the monitoring body.
“Furthermore, research institutes must be supported to engage in product development leading to licensing of products and technologies to the private sector. I mentioned the vaccine developed at Dakar through partnership with a United Kingdom (UK) company. The UK Government supported the work with one million British pounds. I am totally convinced of the gift of intelligence and talents God had bestowed on Nigerians. That is why everywhere in the world Nigerians perform excellently. We just need to support these young and talented researchers. I am sure the outcome of such support will surprise us.”
As Wambebe makes his last journey, stakeholders are unanimous that he would be greatly missed. His self-acclaimed adopted son, Dr. Jerome Aduojo Agi, posted on https://www.forevermissed.com/charles-wambebe/about/2: “What a Shocking, Painful and Irreparable Loss of a very great Personality. Icon, Innovator, Creative and distinguished Pharmacist of International Repute.
“Oh! Prof. You left us as an accomplished, Successful, Imparting Mentor and a distinguished Role Model yet the Vacuum your death has caused your Family and we your adopted Children can never be filled.
“However, our Consolation is that your labours in God’s Vineyard and the Souls you have won for Christ had guaranteed your passage to be in the bosom of the LORD.
“Adieu! Professor Charles Wambebe CON, You will ever remain in our hearts and your legacies will always remind us of the great, outstanding, humble, righteous and distinguished personality that you were.
“Let God alone continue to Console and Comfort your equally Hospitable and good Wife. Your Son, Majiyebo – my bosom brother, your Family and the numerous Families you left behind!”
There will be Service of Songs in Wambebe’s loving memory on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at ECWA Wuse II Blantyre Street, Wuse II Abuja by 4:00pm. Funeral rites are scheduled for December 29 and 30, 2022 at Somerset New Jersey USA.
